Transverse joint for pavements



p 8, 1964 A. F. cRoNE TRANSVERSE JOINT FOR PAVEMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19, 1961 I 4 v W p AT TOFN E Y S.

P 8, 1964 A. F. CRONE TRANSVERSE JOINT FOR. PAVEMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 19, 1961 w BY ATTORNEY-5' United States Patent 3,147,677 TRANSVERSE JOINT FOR PAVEMENTS Alfred F. Crone, Williamsville, N.Y., assiguor to Acme Highway Products Corporation, Buffalo, N .Y. Filed July 19, 1961, Ser. No. 125,155 9 Claims. (Cl. 94-17) This invention relates to joints for highways and other paved surfaces, and more particularly to such joints which are constructed to maintain surface alinement of adjacent pavement slabs and also to permit relative movement of adjacent slabs toward and from each other caused by thermal expansion and contraction.

More specifically this invention relates to a sleeve type of load transfer device formed of two parts, one part to be located in one road slab having a projection extending into the adjacent slab and interlocked with the other part of the load transfer device which is to be located in the other slab when the pavement is completed, the two parts being preferably formed of castings.

It is an object of this invention to provide a pavement joint so formed that the two parts of the load transfer device can -be easily and quickly assembled with the center plate of the joint. Another object is to provide a pavement joint in which one of the parts of the load transfer device is shaped to interlock with a center plate by being moved into engaging position while at an upwardly extending angle from the center plate and then moved downwardly into a substantially horizontal position to securely lock this load transfer part to the center plate. A further object is to provide the part of the load transfer device which passes through the hole in the center plate with a dowel having a hook member or projection on the upper edge thereof which may pass through the hole in the center plate while said part is in inclined position and then engage the center plate above the hole to prevent removal of said part from the center plate when in horizontal position.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a pavement joint embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation thereof showing the pavement joint arranged on a subgrade on which the concrete or other paving material is to be poured.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation thereof on an enlarged scale on line 3-3, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof partly in section showing the interlocking arrangement between the two parts of the load transfer device.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof on line 5-5, FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a transverse view thereof with the center plate shown in section and showing one of the load transfer members in position to interlock with the center plate.

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the load transfer part in interlocked relation with the center plate and with a spacer bar.

FIG. 8 is a transverse view thereof partly in section as seen from 88, FIG. 7.

The pavement joint shown and embodying this invention is intended for use between two adjacent pavement slabs 14 and 15, FIG. 3, and includes a center plate 16 which is positioned between the two pavement slabs. This plate is preferably provided with longitudinally extending, stiffening beads 17 and is formed to support a plurality of load transfer members, each of which comprises two parts 18 and 19 which are connected with each other to resist vertical movement of one slab relatively to the other. To receive the load transfer members, the center plate is provided at intervals lengthwise thereof with suitable apertures 20 of approximately square or rectangular shape, FIGS. 5 and 8, through which parts of the load ice transfer members may extend. A portion of one of the parts of each load transfer device extends through an aperture 20 and preferably has a telescopic or overlapping connection with the other part of the load transfer device, in such a manner that the two parts when connected, will oppose vertical movement of one pavement slab relatively to the other.

In order to accomplish these results, the part 18 of each load transfer device includes a shaft or anchoring member 22 formed to extend horizontally into the pave ment slab 15 at approximately intermediate the upper and lower surfaces thereof, and this shaft terminates at one end thereof in an enlarged abutment portion 23 formed to seat against a face of the center plate 16. The part 18 of the load transfer device is provided with an extension or dowel 25 which is formed to extend through an aperture 20 in the center plate and to a distance beyondinto the other slab 14. The other part 19 of the loadtransfer device is provided with a suitablecavity formed to telescopically receive the extension or dowel 25. In the particularconstruction shown by way of example, the extension or dowel 25 is of I-shaped cross section having two opposite, flat faces, and cavities or recesses 26 on opposite sides thereof. The part 19 has an open sided socket to receive the dowel 25, this socket comprising upper and lower walls 28 and 29 connected by an upright wall 30, FIGS. 3 and 4. The flat faces of the extension or dowel 25 fit against the walls 28 and 29. The part 19 of the load transfer device opposite to the upright wall 30' is proferably open. By means of this construction it willbe seen that the two parts 18 and 19 of the load transfer member will be held against vertical movement relatively to each other and will consequently also resist movement of the two slabs 14 and 15 out of alinement with each other. The part 19 also has an extension 32 formed to extend into the pavement slab 14 and the end of this extension or anchoring member 32 may be provided with transverse and longitudinal ribs or flanges 33 and 34 which serve to securely embed the part 19 in the pavement slab 14 in such a manner as to hold part 19 in fixed relation to this slab.

It is desirable to interlock the part 18 of the load transfer member with the center plate in such a manner that this interlock can be quickly and easily effected manuallymerely by manipulation of the part 18 relatively to the center plate. In the construction shown for this purpose the apertures 20 in the center plate are made of such shape that the dowel of the part 18 of the load transfer member can only enter into a hole or aperture of the center plate when this part of the locking device is held at an angle extending upwardly from the center plate. This is done by providing the upper face of the dowel 25 with an upwardly extending hook or latch 36 which may be in the form of an integral bead, as shown in FIG. 6, which may pass through a hole in the center plate only while the part 18 of the load transfer device is arranged at an angle so as to extend upwardly from the center plate as shown in FIG. 6. After the hooked portion 36 has passed through the hole in the center plate, the outer end of the load transfer part 13 can be swung downwardly into a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 7. The hook portion 36 is so positioned relatively to the part 18 and the center plate that this part will engage one side of the center plate above the hole 20 therein when the part 18 is swung into a horizontal position. This part of the load transferdevice is also so proportioned that it will fit snugly into the hole when the part 18 is swung into horizontal position, and for this purpose this part may be provided with a downwardly extending cam 37 which reacts with the center plate at the lower edge of the hole during the swinging of the part 18 into horizontal position. This cam moves the part 18 upwardly as to swing the hook portion 36 upwardly above the upper edge of the hole and to hold the same in such position.

The load transfer part 18 is also provided with means for limiting the downward swing of the part 18 to a horizontal position, such for example as the shoulder or abutment means 23 positioned to engage with the center plate at the side thereof opposite to that engaged by the hook member 36 side of the same when the part 18 is swung into horizontal position. In the particular construction shown, the holes in the center plate are approximately rectangular in shape so that the hooked portion 36 will engage the center plate at one side thereof above the upper edge of the hole and the cam portion 37 reacts with the center plate above the lower edge of the hole to move the hook member into locking position. In the particular construction shown for this purpose, an abutment shoulder 23 is provided at each side of the part 18 which is positioned to engage the center plate at opposite sides of the hole and thus firmly hold the part 18 of the load transfermember in approximately horizontal position and to prevent this part from passing farther through the hole in the center plate.

When the part 18 is in correct position with relation to the center plate, then the other part 19 of the load transfer device may be moved into correct relation to the dowel 25 of the part 18, in which the dowel is between the walls 28, 29 and 30. The part 19 and the dowel may then be yieldingly held in correct relation to each other by means of projections or lugs 45 extending beyond the edges of the upper and lower walls 28 and 29. These projections initially extend straight outwardly from the walls 28 and 29, and after the dowel has been positioned between the walls 28 and 29, these projections 45 are moved in any suitable manner, for example, by means of hammer blows, into engagement with the dowel 25 so as to hold the part 19 frictionally in correct relation to the center plate during shipment of the transfer joint from a factory to the road site where they are to be positioned on the sub-base of a road.

The outwardly extending shafts 22 of the load transfer parts 18 are preferably provided with extended bearing surfaces to provide greater areas of contact with the concrete. Consequently the forces on the shaft 22, resulting from downward movement of the slap relatively to the slab 14, will be distributed over a greater area of the concrete, thus reducing the tendency to break out some of the concrete above these shafts.

In the construction shown for this purpose, each shaft 22 is provided intermediate of its upper and lower edges with an outwardly extending flange having the widest portions 47 adjacent to the center plate and preferably these widened, reinforcing Webs are also formed integral with the abutment shoulders 23 to produce a strong and rigid construction. The widest parts 47 of the reinforcing web after extending beyond the center plate for a limited distance may then taper toward the end of the arm 22 because of the lesser tendency of the shaft to break the concrete at the outer portions of the same.

Each load transfer member is provided with a base 50 of any desired shape which supports the pavement front above the subgrade. This base in the construction shown by way of example has a flat, lower face which may rest on the subgrade 51 of the highway. The base as shown has a central, longitudinally extending reinforcing rib 52 and is preferably made slightly longer than the length of the load transfer member, and the flat portion of the base is provided with two pairs of upwardly extending arms 54 and 55 which are preferably formed by partially cutting these arms from the sides of the base, so that one end of each arm is left uncut so that the arms may be bent upwardly into the positions shown in FIGS. 4-7. The arms 54 support the center plate and their upper portions pass through suitable apertures or slots formed in the center plate and the ends of the arms which have been passed through the center plate are bent upwardly, preferably into engagement with the lower bead 17 of the center plate. The other arms 55 extend upwardly to support a spacer bar 57, that shown being of angle-shaped cross section and to which the ends of the shafts 22 of the load transfer part 18 are secured. For this purpose the spacer bar 57 has an upwardly extending flange provided with an aperture through which a pintle or reduced end portion 58 of the shaft 22 extends. Preferably the shaft 22 has a downwardly bent portion 59 on the end of which the pintle 58 is formed. This end of the shaft 22 also has laterally extending projections or fingers 69 which lie on the lower flange of the angleshaped spacer bar 57.

In order to position the spacer bar, the load transfer part 18 and the base 52 in correct relation to each other, the upwardly extending arms 55 from opposite sides of the base are provided with laterally projecting parts 62 upon which the spacer bar 57 may rest, and the ends of the arms 55 at opposite sides of the shaft 22 are bent over as shown at 63 to extend around the fingers 60 of the load transfer part 18 and over the upper edge of the upwardly extending leg of the angle-shaped spacer bar. Consequently the spacer bar and its connection with the base 5t) holds the parts 18 of the load transfer members from being swung upwardly into positions in which they may become disengaged from the center plate.

The transfer joints described have the advantages that they are easily assembled at a factory and when the various parts thereof are assembled as described, they are rigidly connected so that none of the parts thereof are apt to become separated from the assembled units during shipment and handling. The connecting of the parts of the load transfer members with the center plate and with each other is effected by simple manual operations which do not require welding or other operations involving special skills.

It will be understood that various changes in the de tails, materials and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim: 7

l. A highway joint including a rigid center plate adapted to be arranged between two pavement slabs and provided at intervals with holes, load transfer members each formed in two parts, one part extending in one direction from the center plate and the other part extending in the opposite direction therefrom, one of said parts having a dowel extending through a hole in said center plate and the other part of said load transfer member having a socket which receives said dowel to transmit vertical forces from one of said parts to the other, means for securing said dowel in said socket, said dowel being of a cross sectional shape to pass through said hole from one side of said center plate when said first mentioned part is held in an inclined position extending upwardly at an angle from said center plate and having an upwardly extending hook which clears the upper edge of the hole and engages said center plate at the other side thereof above said hole when said first mentioned part is swung into horizontal position, a cam on the lower side of said dowel which engages the lower edge of said hole when said first part is swung into horizontal position to hold said hook in engagement with the opposite face of said center plate, said socket holding said first part against moving out of said horizontal position.

2. A highway joint according to claim 1 in which said first mentioned part has a stop abutment which extends into position to engage said center plate to stop downward movement of said part beyond the approximate horizontal position and to limit the extent to which said part can pass through the hole.

3. A highway joint including a rigid center plate adapted to be arranged between two pavement slabs and provided at intervals with holes, load transfer members each formed in two parts, one part extending in one direction from the center plate and the other part extending in the opposite direction therefrom, one of said parts having a dowel extending through a hole in said center plate and the other part of said load transfer member having a socket which receives said dowel to transmit vertical forces from one of said parts to the other, means for securing said dowel in said socket, said dowel having an upwardly extending head which may be passed with said dowel through one of said holes in said center plate when said dowel is in an inclined position and which engages said center plate at one side thereof above said hole when said dowel extends substantially horizontal, a cam on the lower face of said dowel which engages the lower edge of said hole to urge said dowel upwardly when swung into horizontal position to position said bead above the upper edge of said hole, and a stop shoulder on said first mentioned part of said transfer member which engages the other side of said center plate when said part is swung into approximately horizontal position.

4. A highway joint according to claim 3 and including a base for supporting said joint from a subgrade, and cooperating parts on said base and said load transfer member for holding said member against swinging upwardly above a horizontal position.

5. A highway joint according to claim 3 and including a base supporting said joint above a subgrade, said base having an upwardly extending arm connected with said center plate and another arm connected with the outer end of said first mentioned part of said load transfer member for holding said part against movement upwardly above a horizontal position.

6. A highway joint according to claim 3 and including a spacer bar to which the outer end of said first mentioned part of said load transfer member is connected, and means for holding said spacer bar against upward movement, to prevent said part from swinging upwardly out of its horizontal position.

7. A highway joint including a rigid center plate adapted to be arranged between two pavement slabs and provided at intervals with holes, load transfer members each formed in two parts, a first part extending in one direction from the center plate and the other part extending in the opposite direction therefrom, said first part having a dowel having an upwardly extending hook and co-' said hole to urge said dowel upwardly to cause said hook to engage above said hole on the other side of said center plate, a base for each load transfer member supporting the same and said center plate from the subgrade, said base having an upwardly extending arm secured to said center plate, a spacer bar for supporting the outer end of a part of said first load transfer member, said base having another upwardly extending arm which supports said spacer bar and the outer end of said first part of said load transfer member for holding said load transfer member from moving upwardly from its substantially horizontal position.

8. A highway joint according to claim 7 in which said spacer bar is of angle shape cross section and is provided with an upwardly extending leg having a hole therein, the outer part of said first load transfer member having a pintle thereon extending through said hole, and means on said other upwardly extending arm and the outer end of said part of said first load transfer member securing the outer end thereof to said spacer bar and to said base.

9. A highway joint including a rigid center plate adapted to be arranged between two pavement slabs and provided at intervals with holes, load transfer members each formed in two parts, a first part extending in one direction from the center plate and the other part extending in the opposite direction therefrom, said first part having a dowel, said dowel having an upwardly extending head which may be passed with said dowel through a hole in said center plate when in an inclined position and which prevents movement of said dowel out of said hole when in horizontal position, a base for each load transfer member supporting the same and said center plate from the subgrade, said base having an upwardly extending arm secured to said center plate, a spacer bar for supporting the outer end of said first part of said load transfer member, said spacer bar being of angle shaped cross section and having an upwardly extending leg with a hole therein, a pintle on the outer end of said first load transfer member part extending through said hole, the outer end of said first load transfer part also having a laterally extending finger, said base having an upwardly extending arm which supports said spacer bar and the outer end of said first part of said load transfer member and extends around said finger to hold the same in fixed relation to said spacer bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,659,094 Godfrey Feb. 14, 1928 2,296,756 Yeoman Sept. 22, 1942 2,319,713 Williams May 18, 1943 2,608,141 Jacobson Aug. 26, 1952 2,743,652 Brickman May 1, 1956 

1. A HIGHWAY JOINT INCLUDING A RIGID CENTER PLATE ADAPTED TO BE ARRANGED BETWEEN TWO PAVEMENT SLABS AND PROVIDED AT INTERVALS WITH HOLES, LOAD TRANSFER MEMBERS EACH FORMED IN TWO PARTS, ONE PART EXTENDING IN ONE DIRECTION FROM THE CENTER PLATE AND THE OTHER PART EXTENDING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THEREFROM, ONE OF SAID PARTS HAVING A DOWEL EXTENDING THROUGH A HOLE IN SAID CENTER PLATE AND THE OTHER PART SAID LOAD TRANSFER MEMBER HAVING A SOCKET WHICH RECEIVES SAID DOWEL TO TRANSMIT VERTICAL FORCES FROM ONE OF SAID PARTS TO THE OTHER, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID DOWEL IN SAID SOCKET, SAID DOWEL BEING OF A CROSS SECTIONAL SHAPED TO PASS THROUGH SAID HOLE FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID CENTER PLATE WHEN SAID FIRST MENTIONED PART IS HELD IN AN 